BETTER CONNECTED: Tap-and-go travel across trains, trams and buses announced in Government's new transport strategy

Notes to editors

National Parking Platform 

• RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “These new ratings are a positive move that will help drivers understand how councils are performing when it comes to improving the state of local roads. While there are examples of good road maintenance practice taking place, this isn’t consistent across the country and means drivers have for too long been left with substandard roads. We hope this initiative, plus the promise of longer-term funding for councils to allow them to plan and carry out much-needed preventative maintenance, means we’re finally on the way to having smoother, better roads." 

 

Google Maps 

• Sarah-Jayne Williams, Director of Geo Partnerships at Google Maps, said: “We are committed to using data and technology to help people make more sustainable and informed travel choices every day. By integrating real-time bus information across England into Google Maps, we are giving millions of passengers the confidence to plan their journeys accurately. This partnership with the Department for Transport ensures that whether you are heading to work or visiting friends, you have accurate, live arrival times right at your fingertips. Making public transport easier to navigate is key to creating a more connected and sustainable future for everyone." 

 

Mini-Switzerland 

• Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “This £6 million investment is a major step forward for transport in the Peak District. It builds on the work we’re already leading to improve connectivity for rural communities and shows that places like the Hope Valley can have the ambition and reliability people expect in our cities. Working with partners, we’re strengthening links across the Peak District. This ‘Mini Switzerland’ pilot goes further by joining up buses and trains through coordinated timetables and easier connections - so people can rely on public transport as a genuine alternative to the car. This will make it easier for residents to access jobs, education and healthcare, while helping visitors enjoy the Peak District more sustainably. If we can make this work in the Hope Valley, it can provide a blueprint for better rural transport across the region and beyond.” 

 

• Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "Small businesses need a reliable, regular and well-connected transport system to allow staff, suppliers and customers to reach them. More joined-up transport networks across England, that allow customers to use different modes on a single ticket would make public transport far more attractive - as long as the services are there. For those in rural areas, where public transport is often unreliable and infrequent, being able to track your bus could really improve accessibility and give people much more confidence in using them. Parking remains a huge issue for local businesses, particularly on the high street and in our town centres. Measures that make the process of paying for parking easier and less confusing are crucial in attracting customers to our high streets.” 

 

• Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: "This is a major step forward for seamless travel and putting the customer experience at the heart of transport. Over half (58%) of rail customers use a mix of different transport options to start their journey and we know they want simpler, joined up journeys—building on the ambitions outlined in this strategy, we are working with Traveline to make this a reality. The rollout of the new digital PlusBus ticket makes it easier to move between rail and bus without the need for multiple paper tickets.” 

 

• Max Sugarman, Chief Executive, Intelligent Transport Systems UK, said: “Technology has the power to bring different modes of transport together into one seamless network, providing smoother and easier journeys for the travelling public. It is fantastic to see the commitments in this Better Connected Strategy, setting out how smart ticketing, journey planning and digital tools like the National Parking Platform can integrate services, simplify payments and give passengers real-time information – ultimately, creating better journeys for all.” 

 

• Sue Sharp, interim Chair, Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, said: “DPTAC welcomes putting people at the heart of this strategy.  The traveling public is diverse not only in terms of their personal characteristics, but in where they live, their reasons for travel and the choices they make for their journeys. The strategy recognises that diversity and we look forward to seeing it deliver an effective, accessible and affordable transport network for everyone who needs to travel.  We are particularly pleased that accessibility, alongside affordability, is one of the guiding principles. Around 16 million people in the UK have a disability. Embedding accessibility from the outset,  taking a co-design approach to development and continuing to engage with disabled users throughout, are critical steps in achieving a transport network that is truly accessible and addresses disabled people's rights to travel." 

 

• Lydia Horbury, CEO, Bus Users UK, said: “Connectivity is what turns transport into a network. When buses, trains, trams and active travel options join up seamlessly, it transforms confidence, accessibility and everyday journeys. This strategy moves us closer to a system that works around passengers, not the other way round.” 

 

• Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This national strategy is a significant step towards the transport system people across the East Midlands want: simple, joined-up and easy to use. We’re already seeing what’s possible through innovations like the Ride app in Nottingham and Derby, bringing journey planning and payment in one place. It shows how we can integrate buses, trams and trains so passengers can tap, travel and get where they need to be without juggling multiple tickets or apps. With better real-time information and stronger rural connections, including our work in the Peak District, we can build a transport network that works as one system - supporting growth, cutting congestion and improving access to jobs, education and opportunity across the region.” 

 

• Alex Robertson, Chief Executive of the independent watchdog, Transport Focus, said: "Passengers have told us for years that complexity is one of the biggest barriers to using public transport. Having to juggle different tickets, apps and payment methods for a single journey is frustrating and puts people off leaving the car at home. It’s good to see a transport strategy so focussed on people. Tap-and-go travel, real-time bus tracking and better-connected services will make a genuine difference to people's daily lives. We look forward to working with government and local leaders to make sure passengers see the benefits of these changes as quickly as possible." 

 

• Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “Buses account for two thirds of public transport journeys and it’s encouraging to see them at the heart of the Government’s joined up transport strategy. The initiatives outlined today will help passengers to see when their bus is coming, to pay for their journeys conveniently and to swap seamlessly between different modes of transport. Bus and coach operators are already doing a great deal to improve integration – by offering tickets that can be used across different networks and by publishing combined, at-a-glance timetables. Our industry has been at the forefront of work with the West Midlands Combined Authority, and central government, to develop the technology needed to make this a reality nationwide.” 

 

• David Shepherd, Chair of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) Transport and Connectivity Board, said: “Local authorities are committed to creating connected transport networks and have a shared desire to make technology work for people, passengers and place. The Better Connected Integrated Transport Strategy sets out a national framework for achieving this, providing the right powers, funding and technical backing from the government to make that a reality. ADEPT members have helped shape this strategy which gives us the tools we need to join up buses, trams and trains in a way that genuinely works for communities. We welcome its strong focus on people, passengers and place, and the recognition that digital technology can transform everyday journeys. Great public transport helps us deliver great places that people can be proud of: we look forward to bringing the Better Connected strategy to life through Local Transport Plans the length and breadth of the country.” 

 

• Patrick Mahon, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), said: “The lack of reliable, affordable public transport in rural areas is a widespread problem which impacts on those in greatest need and holds back economic growth. We welcome the fact that the new Integrated National Transport Strategy explicitly recognises several of the main challenges that face public transport users in rural communities. These include the delays and extra costs they encounter when they have to take multiple buses or trains to get to their destination, and the difficulty of knowing when the next bus will actually turn up. The Strategy has the potential to deliver a step change for rural transport users, and ACRE looks forward to working with central and local government to ensure that this potential is delivered in practice.”